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Posts Tagged ‘chain-link fence’

  • Hercules Fence and Hercules Custom Iron Create Anti-climb Fence and Galvanized Stair for AMTRAK.

    Hercules Fence successfully completes a high profile anti-climb fence and complicated stair installation for AMTRAK.  The John Street Tunnel in Baltimore, MD, has recently undergone a major renovation with significant upgrades.

    Hercules Fence has provided an ornamental steel anti-climb fence, powder coated railings, a vinyl coated chain link fence, as well as an intricate and difficult stair installation– located directly above a live AMTRAK line.   Portions of this job require nighttime installation, and there is an extra emphasis on job safety as this was a very steep and delicate installation.

    This challenging job was captured on camera. Below we have two videos of the Hercules team hard at work on this significant project.

  • Timing counts for galvanized fences

    Not all galvanized chain-link fences are alike. Among the other factors affecting chain-link wire is whether it was galvanized before or after it was weaved into a mesh fence. The fence could either be, simply, galvanized after weaving (GAW) or galvanized before weaving (GBW). This page explains the difference well.

    GAW fencing is coated with zinc after the wire has been woven into mesh and is the most popular option. GBW fencing involves coating the wire with zinc before the mesh is woven from it. With GBW fencing, the ends of the wire where it’s cut are not fully coated whereas all of GAW fencing is coated. There is debate, however, over how much of a difference this distinction makes.

    If you’d like to learn more or begin choosing the right fencing for your needs, contact us. We’ll help guide you based on your situation, and then install the fence to your satisfaction.

  • What coats your chain-link fence?

    When looking at chain-link fencing, you’ll encounter lots of talk about galvanized material, hot-dip galvanizing, and vinyl coating.  All three deal with coating a steel or iron mesh fence in order to prevent rusting and corrosion.  Yet they are different processes.

    Galvanizing – A coating of zinc is applied through electroplating to protect the mesh.

    Hot-dip galvanizing – A thicker zinc coating is applied by immersing the mesh in molten zinc

    Vinyl coating – Vinyl is used instead of zinc to protect the mesh allowing different colors and better resistance to rust under some conditions.

    Another thing to consider is that these processes aren’t mutually exclusive.  Galvanized fencing can also be coated with vinyl, although this is a pretty expensive option.  To look more at these options and their pros and cons, contact us.

  • Get the right gate

    Like most other aspects of a chain-link fence, you have a few options when it comes to choosing a gate for it. This page summarizes the primary choices you’ll need to consider.

    Walk-through or drive-through
     This mainly concerns the width of the gate. Will you need to allow a car to drive through the gate or not. Typically, a walk-through gate consists of one panel and will allow a person or possibly a lawnmower to move through it. A drive-through gate usually incorporates two panels that latch in the center.

    Swing or sliding
    A swing gate pivots on a hinge like a door, while a sliding gate operates sliding glass door by moving along the fence. While swing gates appear in either walk-through or drive-through varieties, a sliding gate is almost exclusively used in a drive-through context. Sliding gates are ideal for incorporating electronic opening systems.

    For all your fencing needs, contact us. He handle gates as well fences, and materials of a kind from chain-link to vinyl to wrought iron to wood.

  • Gateway to a complete fence

    Once you have your chain-link fence picked out and designed, it will then be time to turn your attention to the fence gates.  The main thing to remember, as this site describes, is that the fabric and framework of the gates should match what you’ve used for the rest of the fence.  You’ll have three options to consider.

    Bent-frame gates
     The rounded corners of these gates make them a very stylish option.  However, they can also leave larger gaps between the gates and the rest of the fence.  This makes them a little more useful in a residential context.

    Square-welded gates
     Welding adds strength to the frame and the fabric’s connection to it.  Although the corners don’t have to be square, an angular shape is more secure.  All-in-all the gate is better for security.

    Aluminum-corner gates
    Perhaps the strongest of all gate joints, die-cast aluminum corner pieces will join the gate’s framework together.  Because the corner is one solid piece, it’s next to impossible to break.

    To learn more about these gate options and the different kinds of operating mechanisms, contact us. We’ll make sure you get the fencing and gates that are right for you.

  • Making your fence fit

    Continuing our look at chain-link fences, the final component you’ll need to be aware of  when buying a fence are the fittings.  As this site describes, the fittings are the various hardware pieces that connect the fence fabric to the framework.  Because they constitute the weakest link of the fence, the fittings need to be especially strong.  Here’s what you need to keep in mind.

    Composition
    The best fittings are made of die-cast aluminum and steel.  They should be hot-dip galvanized for added strength and protection.

    Coatings
    Like the fabric and fence, the fittings should also be coated to prevent corrosion and rusting.  They serve to weaken the fittings.  Of course if you’ve coated the fabric and framework a certain color, you’ll want to coat the fittings to match.

    We can help you choose the fabric, framework, and fittings that are right for your situation.  We’ll then professionally install it to enhance your privacy and security. Contact us to learn more.

  • The fence was framed

    Next on our look at the components of a chain-link fence that you’ll have to consider when purchasing one is the framework that holds the fence up. Three kinds of pipes make up the framework: the terminal posts at either end of the fence, the line posts that are placed at intervals along the fence, and the top rail that runs along the top of the fence. The specifications for the framework will remind you of the fabric we discussed in our last post.

    Gauge
    Just as it did for the fabric, the gauge measures the thickness of steel used to create the framework’s pipes. Obviously the thicker the steel, the stronger the framework.

    Diameter
    This is that one factor that differs from those of the fabric. You can choose the overall diameter of the framework. The larger the diameter, the more metal it will require to maintain the thickness you want.

    Coating
    You don’t have as many coating options for the framework as you do for the fabric, but there is still some choice. The coatings add color to the fence (typically black, brown, and green) and protect it from corrosion. The coating could be either PVC or polyester.

    To learn more about all kinds of fencing, contact us. We’ll help you determine which kind of fence and specifications are right for you and then professionally install it.

  • Fence fabric basics

    As this site describes, there are three main considerations when choosing the fabric for a chain-link fence. The fabric is the wire “netting” that makes up the body of the fence between the support structure.

    Gauge
    The first and probably most important consideration is the gauge or thickness of the fabric. The gauge measures the diameter of the wire that will be intertwined to create the fabric. Obviously, the thicker the wire, the more protection the fence offers. We typically use 11 gauge fabric for our residential customers.

    Mesh size
     Secondly, customers must decide on the size of the mesh or, in other words, the amount of space between the wiring. Typical sizes run between 2 and 2.5 inches, with the inches measuring the distance between parallel sides of the diamond. Smaller sizes are more expensive because they use more metal and offer more security.

    Coating
    Coatings offer protection and visual appeal to a chain-link fence. Zinc coating offers mainly protection to the metal fence. Aluminum coating will protect the metal as well but will allow rust to develop at the ends, where there are scratches, and where there are imperfections. Vinyl coating is usually used in combination with zinc coating to add color to the fence.

    To learn more about this or any topic, contact us. We can tell you everything you need to know to make a good decision, then install your fence with no hassle.

  • Chain-link lesson

    Once you’ve decided you want a chain-link fence over wroght-iron, wood, or PVC vinyl or any other type of fencing, you may think you’ve made your final decision. However, there is a lot more to chain-link fencing to consider, and over the next few weeks we’ll look at those aspects using this article as a guide. First up, are the major components of a chain-link fence.

    • Fabric: The fabric is the “body” of a chain-link fence that fills in the space between the framework. Fabric comes in different gauges and with different coatings.
    • Framework: The framework is the metal poles that support and anchor the fabric. It too comes in different gauges.
    • Fittings: The fittings attach the fabric to the framework and come in many different shapes and sizes.
    • Gates: Not all fences have gates, but many do, and there are different designs to meet multiple purposes.

    To learn more about chain-link fencing or to have a fence installed, contact us. We tell you more it and help you decide which options are right for you.

  • Linking everything together

    At Hercules Fence, we cater to many different kinds of clients:  residential, commercial, and those needing high-security fencing.  But no matter who we’re working for, chain-link fences always seem to be the most popular.  There are numerous reasons for this.

    Chain-link fences are very cost-effective, offering a high level of protection for a very reasonable cost.  It’s versatile as well.  Coming in several different grades and thicknesses, chain-link fences provide the framework for fiber-optic motion sensors and security cameras.  They can be angled and topped by razor wire if needed. Vinyl coating has also helped make chain-link fence more attractive.

    Whatever kind of fencing you need, we can install it.  Contact us whether you’re a homeowner, business owner, or at a high-security installation.  We can help you.

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